Google Cloud SQL for MySQL vs Azure Database for MySQL: pricing
Managed MySQL · snapshot captured June 2026
On entry cost, Google Cloud SQL for MySQL has the lower entry cost (~$101/mo vs ~$125/mo). Google Cloud SQL for MySQL uses usage-based (vcpu + ram billed separately) + storage and Azure Database for MySQL uses vcore-hour + separate storage. Their representative entry tiers are ~$101/mo (2 vCPU / 8 GB (Enterprise edition, compute only)) and ~$125/mo (D2ds_v5 (2 vCore / 8 GiB, compute only)). For scale, at the top tier we list, Azure Database for MySQL ($125/mo) is below Google Cloud SQL for MySQL ($282/mo). Prices are a June-2026 snapshot; verify on the linked vendor pricing page before relying on them.
Data as of June 2026.
Google Cloud SQL for MySQL vs Azure Database for MySQL side by side
| Factor | Google Cloud SQL for MySQL | Azure Database for MySQL |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | MySQL | MySQL |
| Vendor | Google Cloud | Microsoft Azure |
| Pricing model | Usage-based (vCPU + RAM billed separately) + storage | vCore-hour + separate storage |
| Representative tier | 2 vCPU / 8 GB (Enterprise edition, compute only) | D2ds_v5 (2 vCore / 8 GiB, compute only) |
| Est. entry / month | ~$101/mo | ~$125/mo |
| Free tier? | No | No |
| Free tier detail | No always-free Cloud SQL tier; covered only by the general $300 new-customer credit. | 12 months free of a B1ms Flexible Server (750 hours/month) plus storage for new accounts. |
| Storage / extras | SSD storage about $0.17-0.222/GB-month; HA roughly doubles the vCPU rate. | Storage billed separately per GB-month; reserved capacity and prepay discounts available. |
| Region note | us-central1 (Iowa), Enterprise edition, on-demand. | East US, Flexible Server, on-demand. |
Sources: Google Cloud pricing · Microsoft Azure pricing.
Cheaper for small vs cheaper for scale
Small / starting out: Neither has a free tier; compare entry prices (~$101/mo vs ~$125/mo). On a flat entry tier, Google Cloud SQL for MySQL has the lower entry cost (~$101/mo vs ~$125/mo).
At scale: at the top tier we list, Azure Database for MySQL ($125/mo) is below Google Cloud SQL for MySQL ($282/mo). Remember that Google Cloud SQL for MySQL is usage-based while Azure Database for MySQL is provisioned, which flips the answer depending on whether your traffic is steady or spiky.
Verdict
On entry cost alone, Google Cloud SQL for MySQL has the lower entry cost (~$101/mo vs ~$125/mo). But price is only part of the story: Google Cloud SQL for MySQL (flexible custom vcpu + ram sizing instead of fixed instance classes) versus Azure Database for MySQL (cheapest entry instance (b1ms ~$12/month) of the hyperscalers). Read each full breakdown — Google Cloud SQL for MySQL and Azure Database for MySQL — and model your real workload in the estimator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Cloud SQL for MySQL or Azure Database for MySQL cheaper?
On entry cost, Google Cloud SQL for MySQL has the lower entry cost (~$101/mo vs ~$125/mo). And at the top tier we list, Azure Database for MySQL ($125/mo) is below Google Cloud SQL for MySQL ($282/mo). The right answer depends on your workload size and traffic pattern — Google Cloud SQL for MySQL uses usage-based (vcpu + ram billed separately) + storage and Azure Database for MySQL uses vcore-hour + separate storage. snapshot captured June 2026.
Google Cloud SQL for MySQL vs Azure Database for MySQL: which for a small project?
For a small project, lean to whichever has a usable free tier and the lower entry price. Google Cloud SQL for MySQL has no real free tier. Azure Database for MySQL has no real free tier.
Google Cloud SQL for MySQL vs Azure Database for MySQL: which scales better on cost?
At scale, at the top tier we list, Azure Database for MySQL ($125/mo) is below Google Cloud SQL for MySQL ($282/mo). Usage-based offerings (serverless) can be cheaper for spiky or low-duty workloads but more expensive for steady high throughput; provisioned/instance pricing is the opposite. Model your real traffic before deciding.
What is the pricing model for Google Cloud SQL for MySQL and Azure Database for MySQL?
Google Cloud SQL for MySQL: Usage-based (vCPU + RAM billed separately) + storage. Azure Database for MySQL: vCore-hour + separate storage. Prices are a June-2026 snapshot; verify on the linked vendor pricing page before relying on them.
More comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-20